After the first session of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) newly elected 227-member general body on Wednesday (February 11), to elect Ritu Tawde as Mumbai's Mayor and Sanjay Ghadi as the Deputy Mayor, the general body is likely to meet next on February 16, Monday. Members of BMC's statutory committees will be decided in this meeting of the General Body, including the Standing Committee, which approves all projects and other expenditure above Rs 1 crore; the Improvements Committee, in charge of approving infrastructure and land development projects; the Education Committee; and the BEST Committee. According to a tentative schedule, dates decided for the formation and special meetings of all committees are: February 20: Standing Committee and Education Committee are to meet and elect the respective chairpersons. February 23: Improvement and BEST committees to meet and elect their respective Chairpersons March 5, 6, 9: Ward committees to meet March 12, 13, 14: Special Committees to meet and elect their respective Chairpersons (Work Committee, Public Health, Markets and Gardens, Women and Child, Law) Budget: According to the tentative schedule, BMC is likely to present its budget at a meeting of the standing committee on February 25.
12 February,2026 07:38 PM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSThe Vasai Road railway station has received two major upgrades in just a span of one month, a new Foot Over Bridge (FOB) and part of an elevated deck has been opened for public, officials said. With the opening of a new Foot Over Bridge (FOB) and part of an elevated deck under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP)-3A was opened for improved passenger facilities at the station, the officials said. The Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation Ltd. (MRVC) announced that a 6-metre wide and 42-metre long Foot Over Bridge connecting the east circulating area to island platforms 4-5 and 6-7 has been completed and opened for use. Staircases on the eastern side have also been commissioned. In addition, a 50-metre long and 10-metre wide elevated deck, which is part of a planned 250-metre-long structure, has been completed. Earlier, a 60-metre portion of the deck was opened in December 2025. Improved passenger movement Officials said that the new facilities will help ease congestion and improve the movement of passengers at the busy suburban station. Vasai Road is one of the high-footfall stations on the Western Railway corridor. The station improvement work is being carried out in phases due to heavy suburban train traffic and operational challenges. The project aims to improve passenger safety, create more space for commuters, and enhance both vertical and horizontal circulation within the station. MRVC statement MRVC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Sunil Udasi, said the commissioning of the new structures marks an important step in strengthening passenger infrastructure on the Western suburban corridor. He added that despite the challenges of working in a highly crowded railway section, MRVC is moving forward in a planned manner to improve commuter convenience while ensuring that train services continue without disruption. MRVC said it remains committed to completing the remaining work within the scheduled timeframe and providing modern, commuter-friendly infrastructure under the MUTP-3A project.
12 February,2026 06:39 PM IST | Mumbai | Rajendra B. AklekarCentral Railway’s newly launched AC local services on Mumbai's Harbour Line have seen a strong response from commuters, with 6.40 lakh passengers travelling within the first 16 days of its operations. According to a Central Railway, the AC Harbour Line services recorded 6,40,017 passengers between January 26 and February 10, 2026, an average of 40,017 commuters per day. CR earns Rs 2.38 crore from AC local ticket sales During this period, Central Railway earned Rs 2.38 crore from AC local ticket sales, averaging Rs 14.90 lakh per day. Of the total revenue, Rs 1.79 crore came from season tickets, while Rs 59 lakh was generated through journey tickets. Officials said the strong response reflects a growing preference among Mumbai local train commuters to upgrade from conventional non-AC first and second class coaches to the enhanced comfort of AC local services. Currently, Central Railway operates 94 AC local services, including 14 new services introduced on the Harbour Line on January 26, 2026. Ticket checking drives intensified in AC locals To curb ticketless and irregular travel, Central Railway’s Mumbai Division has intensified special ticket checking drives in AC locals and at stations across the network. Between January 26 and February 10, ticket checking teams detected 810 cases of irregular travel in Harbour Line AC locals and recovered Rs 2.50 lakh as a penalty. In the financial year 2025–26 (up to February 10, 2026), ticket checking squads identified 1.01 lakh cases of passengers travelling without proper tickets in AC locals across both Main Line and Harbour Line routes. A total penalty of Rs 3.22 crore was recovered during this period. Railway authorities said the enforcement action sends a clear message that irregular travel in AC local trains will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against offenders. Central Railway reiterated its commitment to providing safe, comfortable and efficient travel for Mumbai suburban commuters and appealed to passengers to travel with valid tickets to avoid penalties and inconvenience.
12 February,2026 06:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has stopped the operation of its air-conditioned bus route A-188 between Borivali (East) railway station and Kanheri Caves. The decision follows directions from the Bombay High Court, officials said. Officials said that the decision was made following a communication from the Deputy Director (South) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The BEST have ordered the suspension of public transport services within the national park area to protect the environment and wildlife. As a result, AC bus route A-188 has been completely withdrawn from service from January 16, 2026. Extra buses for Mahashivratri Meanwhile, BEST has announced additional bus services on the occasion of Mahashivratri on Sunday, February 15, 2026. To assist devotees visiting the Babulnath Temple, extra buses will operate on routes 57, 67 and 103 between 7.00 am and 7.00 pm. Traffic officers and bus inspectors will also be deployed at the temple area to guide passengers and manage the crowd. BEST has appealed to commuters and devotees to make use of its bus services for convenient travel. BEST announces extra buses for HSC, SSC students during board exams Mumbai In view of the upcoming Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) and Secondary School Certificate (SSC) examinations, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) have announced the operation of additional buses to facilitate the smooth commute of students across Mumbai. The HSC (Class 12) examinations are scheduled from February 10 to March 11, while the SSC (Class 10) exams will be held from February 20 to March 18. With a large number of students expected to travel to examination centres across Mumbai during this period, BEST has directed its administration to ensure hassle-free transportation. According to the directive, depot managers, deputy depot managers, and assistant depot managers will arrange for extra bus services, if students or parents request for the service as well as on the basis of the requirements on on-ground traffic situations. BEST officials and inspectors will be posted at key locations to expedite traffic clearance and prevent delays, the administration stated. BEST staff asked to assist students; front-door boarding allowed during exam period Bus staff, including conductors, drivers, and inspectors, have been asked to assist students courteously and provide them with the necessary support during their journey. Additionally, students will be allowed to board buses through the front door throughout the examination period to ensure easier access. The move comes as part of broader efforts by authorities in Maharashtra to ensure that students reach their examination centres on time and without inconvenience.
12 February,2026 06:18 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra government on Thursday signed MoUs with actor Nana Patekar's Naam Foundation and Tata Trusts for healthcare and rural development, officials said. Maharashtra will speed up its development through partnerships with voluntary organisations, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. He was speaking at Sahyadri Guest House during the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Tata Trusts and Naam Foundation. The state government has signed 12 agreements with Tata Trusts and one agreement with Naam Foundation to support development work across Maharashtra. CM Fadnavis said the government’s priority is to improve healthcare, nutrition, water security and livelihood for every family in the state. He said these partnerships would help government welfare schemes reach people more effectively and create a positive social impact. He added that support from Tata Trusts to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund has helped provide financial assistance to patients suffering from serious illnesses. The aim, he said, is to ensure that no one dies due to lack of medical treatment. Support for mothers, children and rural communities The agreements will strengthen healthcare services for mothers, newborns, children and adolescents. They will also focus on preventing malnutrition, reducing stunting among children under two, and tackling anaemia among adolescents. Efforts will be made to expand telemedicine services, improve emergency response systems and provide better primary healthcare in both urban and remote areas. Special attention will be given to districts such as Gadchiroli, along with drought-prone regions in Marathwada and Vidarbha. Water conservation and climate-resilient farming The partnership includes work on water conservation, desilting of lakes and rivers, groundwater recharge and soil conservation projects. It also aims to promote climate-resilient agriculture, livestock development and forest-based and rural non-farm livelihoods. Naam Foundation, founded by actor Nana Patekar, has been working in water conservation, especially in low rainfall areas. The Chief Minister said its contribution, along with support from Tata Trusts, has helped strengthen water conservation efforts in the state. Integrated rural development approach The MoUs will promote integrated village development by linking health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation and livelihood programmes. Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata said the organisation will work with various government departments and communities to improve the standard of living of ordinary citizens. He said the partnerships aim to create coordinated and long-term positive outcomes. Senior ministers and officials, including Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, were present at the event.
12 February,2026 05:51 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 62-year-old woman fractured her hand after an autorickshaw driver allegedly pushed her onto the road during a fare dispute in Maharashtra's Thane district. As reported by news agency PTI, the incident took place on Tuesday, when victim Riza Joseph and her relatives were returning from Kasturi Plaza in the Dombivali area to their place at Davadi, an official said. While the auto driver initially quoted Rs 120, upon reaching the destination, he started demanding Rs 160. Despite the complainant paying the inflated amount, the driver allegedly began verbally abusing the passengers, claiming they had misled him about the exact distance. When the incident started to ignite, the son of Joseph's tenant tried to calm the driver, but the accused started beating him. However, when Joseph attempted to intervene, the auto driver allegedly pushed the elderly woman with such force that she fell onto the pavement, resulting in a fracture to her left hand, the official said. Following the victim’s statement from hospital, the Manpada police have registered a case against the auto driver, reported PTI. Thane court acquits two men in 2002 train robbery case In a different scenario, a court in Maharashtra's Thane district has acquitted two men in a 2002 train robbery case. The court, while passing the orders, noted that the prosecution had failed to examine even a single material witness over the past two decades. In a judgement delivered on February 9, Additional Sessions Judge P R Ashturkar held that there was "absolutely nothing on record" to indicate the involvement of the accused, Shaikh Babu, alias Chhota Babu Shaikh Pyare, and Shaikh Ayub Shaikh Yusuf, reported PTI. As per the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly robbed a woman passenger on board the Chalukya Express on July 24, 2002, near Kalyan. Following the accusations, the court recorded that despite repeated attempts, no prosecution witness could be traced. The court stated, "There is absolutely nothing on record which would even remotely indicate the involvement and active participation of the accused in the said matter," as per PTI. Only one witness, a police constable tasked with serving summons, was examined, who deposed that the witnesses were untraceable. The district court acquitted both accused, saying keeping the matter lingering would be a futile exercise without any outcome. (With inputs from PTI)
12 February,2026 03:16 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentThe Bombay High Court on Thursday made it clear that it will not hear fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya’s petitions challenging the Fugitive Economic Offenders (FEO) Act unless he returns to India. A bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad said Mallya must first clarify whether he is willing to come back. “You have to come back… if you cannot come back then we cannot hear this plea,” the court said as per PTI reports. Court seeks clear stand from Mallya Mallya, who has been living in the UK since 2016, has filed two petitions before the High Court. One challenges the order declaring him a fugitive economic offender, and the other questions the constitutional validity of the 2018 FEO Act. The court posted the matter for further hearing on February 18 and said it was giving Mallya another opportunity to state clearly if he is ready to return to India. “We may have to record that you are avoiding the process of the court. You cannot take benefit of the proceedings. In all fairness to you, we are not dismissing the petition but giving you another opportunity,” the bench observed. The court had taken a similar stand during the previous hearing in December 2025 and had asked Mallya’s lawyer to clarify his position. On Thursday, the bench directed Mallya to file an affidavit clearly stating whether he would return to India. “When will you come? You have already argued that you are entitled to a hearing without your physical presence in a court of law. But first file an affidavit clearly stating so,” Chief Justice Chandrashekhar said. Senior counsel Amit Desai, appearing for Mallya, argued that there are judgments which allow such petitions to be heard even if the petitioner is not physically present in court. Centre opposes Mallya’s plea Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, opposed the plea. He said Mallya cannot challenge the provisions of the FEO Act after being declared a fugitive under it. “He can come to India first and then it can be seen whether he is liable or not liable to pay. He cannot not trust the law of the country,” Mehta argued as per PTI reports. Mehta also informed the court that extradition proceedings against Mallya in London were in their final stages. He suggested that Mallya may have filed the petitions anticipating his possible extradition. The solicitor general further said that in his affidavit, Mallya has claimed that banks were wrong to demand money from him. Background Mallya, 70, is facing multiple cases in India related to fraud and money laundering. He was declared a Fugitive Economic Offender in January 2019 by a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He is accused of defaulting on several loan repayments and left India in March 2016. His properties in India have already been attached by enforcement agencies, his lawyer told the court. For now, the High Court has made it clear that it will not proceed with hearing his petitions unless he gives a clear statement about returning to India. (With PTI Inputs)
12 February,2026 02:48 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction has expressed strong anger after some of its corporators in Chandrapur supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the recent mayoral election. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut said the move went directly against clear instructions given by party chief Uddhav Thackeray. He described the development as a “betrayal” of the party’s long political struggle against the BJP. “Alliance with BJP is a sin” Speaking to reporters, Raut made it clear that the party would not accept any understanding with the BJP. “For years, we have fought against them. To compromise now for the sake of power is unacceptable to me and the majority of our party,” he said. He added that joining hands with the BJP would be a “sin” that the people of Maharashtra would not forgive. Raut stressed that even though the BJP is currently in power, Shiv Sena (UBT) would not accept the “stigma” of compromising for short-term gains. He also warned that if there is to be any alliance in Chandrapur, those who “betrayed” the party must first face action. Raut pointed to internal problems within the Congress, an ally in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), as one of the reasons behind the political shift in Chandrapur. He said that despite discussions with senior leaders such as MP Pratibha Dhanorkar and Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar, two factions within the Congress failed to reach a final agreement. “The Congress needed to engage more seriously with our corporators and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi members. Unfortunately, two factions within the Congress could not reach a consensus until the very end,” Raut said. According to him, this lack of coordination created a political vacuum at the local level, which led some corporators to support the BJP. He said the state Congress leadership, including president Harshwardhan Sapkal, should reflect on what happened. Corporators to be called to Mumbai Raut said Uddhav Thackeray is closely monitoring the situation. The corporators who supported the BJP are likely to be called to Mumbai within the next two or three days. After discussions with them, the party will take a final decision on whether to withdraw support or take disciplinary action. Raut compared the situation in Chandrapur to earlier political tensions seen in Kalyan-Dombivli involving the MNS and other parties, suggesting that local issues had once again created trouble for the alliance. “There is only one Uddhav Thackeray” Raut repeated that Uddhav Thackeray’s stand against the BJP remains firm, especially after the split in the original Shiv Sena. “Uddhav Thackeray’s orders for Chandrapur were clear: do not bring these ‘thieves’ to power,” he said. He also dismissed speculation that his remarks were aimed at party legislator Varun Sardesai. “Just as there is only one Balasaheb, there is only one Uddhav Thackeray. No matter how big a leader becomes, the chief’s order is final,” Raut stated. The party is now waiting for the upcoming meetings in Mumbai, after which a final decision on the Chandrapur issue is expected. (With PTI Inputs)
12 February,2026 02:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA court in Maharashtra's Thane district has acquitted two men in a 2002 train robbery case. The court, while passing the orders, noted that the prosecution had failed to examine even a single material witness over the past two decades. In a judgement delivered on February 9, Additional Sessions Judge P R Ashturkar held that there was "absolutely nothing on record" to indicate the involvement of the accused, Shaikh Babu, alias Chhota Babu Shaikh Pyare, and Shaikh Ayub Shaikh Yusuf, reported PTI. As per the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly robbed a woman passenger on board the Chalukya Express on July 24, 2002, near Kalyan. Following the accusations, the court recorded that despite repeated attempts, no prosecution witness could be traced. The court stated, "There is absolutely nothing on record which would even remotely indicate the involvement and active participation of the accused in the said matter," as per PTI. Only one witness, a police constable tasked with serving summons, was examined, who deposed that the witnesses were untraceable. The district court acquitted both accused, saying keeping the matter lingering would be a futile exercise without any outcome. Thane court acquits three men in 2017 explosives case In a different scenario, a court in Maharashtra's Thane district had also acquitted three men accused of conspiring to cause harm using explosives hidden in a vehicle in 2017, citing a lack of eyewitnesses and the prosecution’s failure to establish a clear link between the accused and the seized material. Additional Sessions Judge AS Bhagwat passed the order on January 29, but the order was made available on Wednesday. The case dates back to August 6, 2017, when the police conducted a raid at Gousiya Compound in the Mumbra locality in Thane. Authorities found a bag of explosive powder and nine detonators hidden inside an out-of-use sports utility vehicle (SUV). The prosecution alleged that the accused – Mahinsa Rajesab Ganur, alias Mahesh (57), Shahalam Mehmud Sheikh (49) and Arif Nawabali Khan (40) – had conspired to cause damage to life and property and specifically aimed to harm the landowner, Ismail Mohammed Sheikh. They were charged under sections 286 (negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance) and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), along with sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act. After spending over two years in custody, they were released on bail in late 2019. (With inputs from PTI)
12 February,2026 01:50 PM IST | Thane | mid-day online correspondentResidents of Road No. 14, TPS 3, Bandra West, find themselves back in a construction zone. They are reliving the disruption of last year’s concreting exercise. Months after the stretch was rebuilt between December 2024 and May 2025, stormwater drains are once again being dug up and relaid, to correct earlier misalignment. Locals claim their previous complaints went unaddressed, and now, they are grappling with traffic chaos, missing footpaths, and fears of flooding. Residents speak Lack of intimationJacob D’Souza (name changed) “Last year, we informed the workers about the misalignment, but were told it could not be fixed. There was no major waterlogging, so we let it go. This year, without any prior notice, the drains were dug up again. We only found out after asking the workers.” Portion of the recently concreted stretch reopened “We leave for work in the morning and return to traffic chaos in the evening. The drain work started two to three days ago. We are glad the mistake is being corrected, but why were our earlier complaints ignored?” Resident Katrreena Sunnil Purswani Water stagnation fears D’Souza further said: “Water has stagnated in all three drains, including sewage and storm water drains, likely due to construction debris. Our building has faced flooding during heavy monsoon rains before. If this is not cleared, we could face the same situation again.” Missing footpaths Ongoing work on Road No. 14 as residents flag lack of prior intimation. PICS/SHADAB KHAN A member of the Advanced Locality Management group, requesting anonymity “Under the 2016 Pedestrian First policy and the 2023 Universal Footpath policy, footpaths are part of the transport system. But most of this road has no footpaths. We were told they would be built after the road work. That has not happened.” Access issuesKatrreena Sunnil PurswaNi, resident Construction debris and reopened drains along the Bandra West stretch undergoing corrective work “Slopes leading into buildings were broken during construction and have not been rebuilt. Because there was no prior notice, residents could not move their cars. Even now, taking vehicles out is difficult, so larger cars are parked on the road.” She added, “We just need prior intimation. The lack of it disrupts daily life.” What happened >> Concreting carried out: December 2024 to May 2025>> Residents noticed stormwater drains were misaligned and laid in the middle of the road>> Existing side drains were already clogged and unusable>> Complaints last year allegedly saw no corrective action>> This year, the contractor has taken up work on the remaining half of the road. Residents say the stormwater drains are being dug up and redone BMC response Abhijit Bangar, the additional municipal commissioner, said the improvement of 14th Road, Bandra West, from 30th Road to 33rd Road is being carried out through contractor M/s NCC Ltd.Work commenced: December 1, 2024Tentative completion: March 31, 2026 Bangar said lapses were found during execution and the contractor and Quality Monitoring Agency were penalised as per terms of contract. The stormwater drain rectification and remaining road work are being carried out by same contractor at no extra cost to the BMC.
12 February,2026 01:09 PM IST | Mumbai | Madhulika Ram KavatturMaharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated India's first 'musical road' as part of the Mumbai Coastal Road on the northbound stretch from Marine Drive to Worli on Wednesday morning. Melody Road: India’s First ‘Singing Road’ Debuts in Mumbai! Inaugurated the ‘Melody Road’ stretch from Amarsons Garden to Breach Candy on the Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South) today. As India's first-ever Melody Road, this… https://t.co/ugJd9MzYvH — Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) February 11, 2026 As part of the project, motorists will be able to hear musical notes after exiting the northbound tunnel, as special rumble strips or grooves have been laid along the lane next to the median over a 500-metre stretch. #WATCH | Mumbai | Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated the ‘Melody Road’ stretch from Amarsons Garden to Breach Candy on the Dharmaveer, Swarajyarakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Mumbai Coastal Road (South). https://t.co/4oCF4urV5j pic.twitter.com/2WpHqSlHvW — ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2026 When vehicles pass over the grooves at a speed of around 70–80 kmph, ‘Jai Ho’ from the film Slumdog Millionaire can be heard inside the vehicle due to the friction between the tyres and the road. Fadnavis also took a drive on the coastal road as part of the inauguration. Speaking on the occasion, he said the concept was first implemented in Hungary. “This is the first time such a road has been built in India using Hungarian technology.” Signboards have been installed inside the tunnel at distances of 500 metres, 100 metres, and 60 metres to alert motorists approaching the grooves.
12 February,2026 11:39 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSADVERTISEMENT
-1770886769227_d.png "Vijay Mallya. File Pic")
-1770884830643_d.png "Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut. File Pic")
